HON. MEMBERS AND CONSCIENCE VOTES

That this House notes recent calls for the Government to respect the consciences of individual hon. Members and to allow a free vote at Report Stage and Third Reading of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill; considers that these calls are irrelevant, since no Whip, Prime Minister or prelate can tell an hon. Member what to think; considers that an hon. Member's conscience is precisely that, namely the exclusive property of the holder; recognises that ultimately every vote is a free vote; and believes that there are occasions in the life of every hon. Member, including senior Ministers and those wishing to be senior Ministers, when all have to make a choice between making a stand on principle and deciding to buckle or trim.